Shoalhaven City Council and Public Works NSW have awarded Haskoning Australia a contract to prepare the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for planned dredging works at Lake Conjola.
According to the Council, the consulting engineering company will carry out the environmental assessment and detailed design in preparation for dredging the ebb tide channel.
This follows the NSW Government’s announcement in June that it would provide a $1.5 million grant for the works, following Council’s successful funding application to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
“This is a crucial step in this project designed to improve the resilience of the coastal system and ease residents’ concerns about lake entrance closures and flood risks,” said Acting Mayor, Peter Wilkins.
The REF will include detailed surveys, sediment sampling, environmental impact studies, and flood mitigation measures for consideration in the detailed design of the dredging works. The design will determine the extent of the excavation works, including where and how it will occur.
The environmental assessment is expected to be completed later this year or early next year.
Council said that the are aiming to have the dredging works completed next year.